“It helps with reaction speed. As the name indicates, you are blind to where the ball is coming from. You stand at the goal line facing away from your partner who yells right before she takes the shot, giving you time to turn, react, and adjust.”
“Ooh. I like that. Can we run that drill tonight at practice, Mom?”
“Sure.” I was loving being able to coach with Emma.
“I played for my University’s Football club. I would be happy to give pointers, if welcome,” Miles offered.
“Only if you admit the word soccer originated in the UK,” I teased him.
His laughter filled the car. “Remind me to google that.”
“Maybe you could come to one of my games?” Chloe asked. “We’re undefeated so far this season.”
“I would be honored. If that is all right with your mum.” Miles glanced my way.
“If you have the time, yes, you are more than welcome to come,” I responded. It wasn’t often Chloe took to people so easily. For her sake, I didn’t want to push him away. That was a good story. One I was sticking to.
“Excellent.” Miles turned into her school. “I’ll plan on it.”
Once we dropped Chloe off, Miles turned to me. “So where to?”
“Why don’t you tell me what you are looking for?”
Miles turned out of the school parking lot. “Will it ruin it for you if I give you a brief synopsis of the book?”
Uh, no. I had been hoping last night for a copy of what little he had already written of his unfinished manuscript to start devouring it, but he said he wanted to go through it one more time before he shared it with me. “Honestly, I like to know what I’m getting into. I’m the worst movie goer; I always look up spoilers. And I admit to sometimes reading the ending of a book if I’m really worried how it will turn out.”
“Ugh!” He slapped his chest. “Direct blow to the heart. That’s an awful crime against humanity.”
“If I’m too nervous I can’t enjoy it,” I defended myself.
“Now I’m debating whether I should tell you or not. Your reading etiquette is atrocious.”
“Fine, don’t tell me, but just so you know . . . not once did I peek at the end ofSilent Stones. I was too engrossed in the story,” I admitted.
Miles glanced at me when he stopped at a stop sign. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.” He focused back on the road. “I suppose for that I’ll share with you. But you must promise me you’ll correct your wicked behavior.”
“Write another fascinating book and we won’t have to worry about it.”
A rumble of deep laughter escaped. “You are cheeky. I’ll do my best. Well then, the book.”
“Wait. What’s the title?”
“That is an excellent question. It’s one my publisher and I can’t agree on. They are dead set on calling itWhispering Stones, but I don’t feel like when it is all said and done that it will encompass the story, and since my contract states the title must be approved by me, we are at a standstill.”
“What do you want it to be called?”
He pressed his lips together and thought for a moment. “I think I will keep that to myself for now. After you’ve read what I’ve written, perhaps you’ll have some suggestions.”
“I wouldn’t count on it. I’m not very good at that sort of thing.”
“I don’t believe it. Are you ready for the synopsis?”
I nodded eagerly while Henry shouted, “Yes!” though he had no idea what for. It made Miles and me laugh.
Miles pulled off to the side in one of the nearby neighborhoods, put the car in park, and turned toward me. Hiseyes shone with excitement, like he couldn’t wait to share. I wasn’t sure I had ever known a man to be so passionate. Leland liked to pretend to be, but it never lived in his eyes, the way Miles’s love for his work lived in his. It was kind of endearing.
“I’ll try not to give too much away. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but a little information will help, assuming I am able to finish.”
